Hawick socks paraded to worldwide audience

Staff at House of Cheviot were 'chuffed' to see their socks on the world stage

Hawick’s House of Cheviot hosiery mill has been celebrating a Commonwealth Games triumph, having provided socks for the Scottish team.

Jilli Blackwood, designer of the athletes’ blue shirt and pink/blue/yellow kilts, approached the mill’s owner and managing director, James Wright, and director Robin Deas to coordinate their socks with her outfit.

House of Cheviot based in Hawick where they make luxury country and kilt socks. L-r, James Wright (director) and Robin Deas (director) with the socks made for the Scotland team at this years commonwealth games in Glasgow.

However, she then swore the pair to secrecy until after Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games had closed.

Mr Deas said: “Everything had to be made in Scotland, and they came to us knowing we produced the best socks.

“When Jilli produced the kilts, shoes, sporran and shirt, I looked at the outfit, and I chose a shade to match the kilt – it co-ordinated beautifully.

“They had a budget of £7 a pair. We could meet that, but we wanted to give them something to be very proud of, so we suggested our top-of-the-range Rannoch-style sock, at £14.

L-r, Robin Deas (director) and James Wright (director) with the socks made for the Scotland team at this years Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“They came back and ordered 320 pairs. It was a far superior sock, and they were happy to pay twice the price. They asked us to keep our end of things confidential until the games ended, and we agreed.”

The Scottish team’s outfit attracted significant press coverage in the lead up to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Mr Deas said: “In the run-up there was a huge controversy about the colours and design of the Scottish outfits.

“I was a little sceptical, but Jilli was speaking her mind, and sticking her neck out: it’s either going to be a great success, or a tragedy. It was innovative, pushing the bounds of Scottish tradition into the 21st century, and I think she did it.

Robin Deas, Director at House of Cheviot based in Hawick where they make luxury country and kilt socks.

“As the Scottish team came out in the opening ceremony, they looked fantastic, and I thought: ‘Wow! We contributed to that.’ The staff here were chuffed.”

Mr Deas added: “I hope this will show Scots around the world that we take pride in producing the finest socks.”

Mr Wright said: “In innovation, in colour and design, we’re leading the way. We want to show the world what we do in Scotland.”